You guys have a special process for cleaning the engine bay? Like, special preparations that you guys do before taking your hose to it?

As much as I don't really open my hood, I know that my engine bay is pretty filthy. It's an eyesore whenever I want to show off my intake and whatnot.

I know that there should be certain parts that should be covered up with a plastic bag or something, but I'm pretty chickenpoop to wash it at all. Any pointers?

 

i use simple green, butyou can use a degreaser like gunk.........and make sure i put saran wrap or plastic on everything electric..
i spray alot and i mean alot of simple green to the really nasty areas then let it soak in then spray it off.

 

^ the man speaks the truth. cover EVERYTHING electrical before you degrease and hose down. if you are unsure of your work after hosing down, leave the hood open for a little bit on a sunny day to dry things out. good luck on cleaning.

 

most of the electrical stuff is pretty well shield anyways, but its better to be safe then sorry.

 

yeah ... everything electrical needs to be covered.

I much prefer to just do everyhing w/ a wet rag now. I'm a little ansy when it comes to spraying the entire engine bay w/ water like I've seen many do.

I've also read about how ppl screwed up the electrical systems too doing that. No thanks

 

usually i go to a freind who has a steam cleaner, which works awesome.........no actual water just high compression steam.

 

werd ^

use the steamer to break everything up and then just take a quick pass with a towel to get it all up and out of the engine bay.

 

My process is to cover anything electrical, or anything that looks like it wouldn't having water sprayed on it. Then I spray every exposued part with Meguiar's Safe Degreaser or Super Degreaser, depending on how dirty the engine is (both are part of their Detailer line and are only available in 1 gallon jugs). I let it sit for a minute or two, then agitate the really dirty parts with a brush, towel, or my hands (covered with gloves). I rinse off with a pressure washer (I use the widest spray pattern, and keep it a couple feet away from the motor, and I never spray a certain area for any extended period of time). I finish it off with Meguiar's Hyper Dressing, diluted 3:1 (again, only available in one gallon jugs).

This isn't a tC, obviously, as I've only had it for 300 miles so I haven't detailed the engine yet. This is my old XRunner...

 

sorry for going a little OT...

try using some of that hyper dressing in the wheel wells and on the rubber door/hood/hatch seals. i've had great results :D

 

I love Hyper Dressing for wheel wells. I also used to use it for my composite truck bed.

Neothin... that user name sounds familiar, do you frequent MeguiarsOnline and/or Autopia?

 

yep, im an autopian :D

 

Meg's Online representin' w00t w00t!

 

So, off the top of my head, I'd probably want to cover up:

- the battery terminals
- fuse box
- the area where the coupler is on my Injen CAI
- where the intake is inserted around the throttle body (not sure if that's necessary =P )

Am I missing anything? I probably am.

 

clean engine bay up there

 

- COVER THE ALTERNATOR!!!!

 

nice thread. i plan on washing on engine bay soon so this definitely helps. thanks!!

 

try peeing on it, its better then any soap i have tried..............

 

PhotoKyle, that's one hawt X-Runner!!! Why'd you get rid of it?? I say use a steam cleaner.